Event marks 40 years since death of guitarist

An annual celebration of the music of one of the greatest blues-rock bands of all time will take place next week.

North Tyneside’s annual Free convention is being held at the Park Hotel in Tynemouth on Saturday, March 19, as a tribute to the band, best know for their 1970 single All Right Now, a No 2 hit.

This year’s event, including a set by Japanese tribute act Tons of Sobs, marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Free guitarist Paul Kossoff.

The London-born musician, included in a list of the 100 best guitaists of all time compiled by Rolling Stone magazine, died of a heart attack on March 19, 1976, at the age of 25.

Terry Slesser, a member of one of Kossoff’s other bands, Back Street Crawler, will also be appearing.

Event organiser Bill Flynn said: “There is always a great reaction to Free’s music when we hold the convention in the north east so to have Terry Slesser, the original singer in Back Street Crawler, is a great thrill.

“Terry will be accompanied by John Buckton and Hideyuki Hide Kinoshita, who has travelled from Japan to play at this event. These two men are, in my opinion, the greatest living exponents of the Paul Kossoff guitar sound, and to have them together for such an iconic anniversary is a dream come true.”

All profits will go to the Northern Brainwave Appeal.

Tickets are £17 in advance, £20 on the night, on 01282 868352 or 07948 017380, or email freeconvention@aol.com